Qtrax signs pan-European deal with PRS for Music

PRS for Music (previously known as the MCPS-PRS Alliance) has announced today they have signed a pan-European licence deal with Qtrax, the world’s first free and legal peer-to-peer (P2P) digital music site.

The deal provides the service with access to the Anglo-American mechanical repertoire of peermusic and other UK independent publishers, as well as the communication to the public rights of all PRS for Music direct members (excluding EMI Music Publishing writers), throughout all European Economic Area (EEA) territories. Andrew Shaw, MD for Broadcast and Online at PRS for Music said: ‘PRS for Music aims to provide new and existing Pan-European services with access to the widest repertoire possible. We are pleased to have been able to facilitate Qtrax’s move into the European market and we are excited about the further expansion of the European market for legitimate digital music services that will result from today’s launch.’ Qtrax President and CEO Alan Klepfisz said: ‘Critical to the success of Qtrax has always been a presence in the UK. We are grateful to PRS for Music for its professionalism, knowledge of new media and its support for a legitimate ad-supported P2P platform.’ The Qtrax deal signals a successful start to PRS for Music's online PEL strategy and they are expected to be the first of many deals in the near future, which will cover all mobile and online service types.